VeeDub Adds Rrrrrrrracy Models

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

BMW has M, Mercedes has AMG, and what does Volkswagen have for the person that wants more (factory-approved) oomph under the hood? This is going to change. Except for quietly lending tech support to the odd private team Volkswagen has been avoiding the racing circuit. This is also going to change.

Volkswagen established a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Volkswagen R GmbH. (If something goes wrong, Volkswagen can always say, it wasn’t them.) With a workforce of over 350 people, the R GmbH builds performance-enhanced and upgraded sports cars. They are called (surprise, surprise) “R models.” R GmbH is also open to customized solutions.

Volkswagen R GmbH is the main sponsor for the inaugural running of the Scirocco R-Cup this year. As racing always is suspect of messing with the climate, R stresses that this is “the most eco-friendly one-make cup series in the world.” And because it’s a one-make race, Volkswagen can never lose.

First products will be a Golf R and a Scirocco R.

The Scirocco R is a 195 kW / 265 hp front-wheel drive car. The Golf R brings 199 kW / 270 PS to all four wheels.The Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. The Scirocco R takes 6.0 seconds, takes just a blink of the eye longer. An optional dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) promises an even better hole-shot.

The first Scirocco-R-Cup race will go underway this Sunday at the Hockenheim Ring. Traveling with the DTM, the R-Cuppies will visit the UK and Brands Hatch on the 3-4 September.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Boxofrain Boxofrain on Apr 25, 2010

    Not everyone wants to chip or modify thier cars not to mention the warranty issues.

  • Tony Josephson Tony Josephson on Apr 25, 2010

    Funny, a stone stock Speed3 will still take a Golf R according to specs.

  • BlueEr03 BlueEr03 on Apr 25, 2010

    Doesn't Volvo already use "R" for their higher-powered cars? I am thinking specifically of the S60R. So many letters, do we really need to re-use them?

  • Littlehulkster Littlehulkster on Apr 26, 2010

    Judging by VW's previous attempts, these R cars will be significantly slower probably less reliable than their Japanese competition, yet cost more. At least they have nice plaid interiors, though!

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